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I'm worried too. My insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery. We are repairing a hiatal hernia too so the surgery it's self will be covered. I will still have to pay for the banding, my deductible and my share after insurance. They quoted me $8,000. Totally sucks but I WILL make it work! I have been wanting to do this surgery for years and am finally focusing on me to do it.

Now see...I think your refusal to acknowledge and respect these people....is as offensive as you find women who post in the men's room. World is an interesting place, isn't it? If you'd like to be educated about them, look up the term genderqueer or non-binary gender identity. But again...I don't care what Alex does about these rooms. Ultimately, I think he'd care a lot more about them if they produced LOTS of sales of bariatric products. LOL:) By the way, have you tried the Flapjacked Mighty Muffins? They're amazing:)

Chris, I neglected to mention a key detail in my previous post: upon resuming bariatric care, one of the first steps taken by my new doctor was to do the testing I had begged his predecessor to do - checking the band under a flouroscope. The findings were that the band had, in fact, failed in a fashion, as my body defeated it by creating a new "pouch" above the band. The temporary solution has been to remove all Fluid from the band, after which I experienced an immediate end to all my symptoms. The long-term solution, which hopefully occurs in mid-December, is replacing the band with a duodenal switch.

Anybody on here willing to tell me about what life's like after the sleeve? I know side effects with this procedure are significantly less then with other bariatric surgeries. But, I'm wondering, am I going to be nausiated all the time? What about diahrrea? Is there sanity after a food addiction?? I know these are (kind've gross) and personal questions...but really...what is life like after the sleeve?

YES! My mom recently told me I was too skinny. My therapist gently reminded me to pay attention to where these comments are coming from. In my case, usually other women that might feel threatened that my role in the friendship or familial relationship has changed; i.e. I was always overweight and they were always smaller or "better" than I was. Now that I am smaller than my mom (she's never been overweight but she's now a size 10/12 and I'm a 6/8), she feels that the balance in that part of our relationship has changed. I try not to internalize it. I don't care what anyone says, I'm a size 8 down from a 32/34 and I feel fantastic! I simply tell people I will stop losing when my surgeon tells me to. After all, they know the post-bariatric body better than anyone.

I was a bit anti-surgery before my family and I attended the information seminar. I thought that the mortality rate for bariatric patients was sky high, but I was incorrect - actually, my surgeon went over the statistics and numbers - and as it turns out if I sat in the chair and did nothing at the BMI I was at, my mortality chance was a whole lot higher than if I had surgery. He also discussed the statistics regarding weight loss and keeping it off - which as we all know with traditional diet and exercise programs the percentage of successful losses of all of ones excess body weight are very small - like 1% of the population, whereas with bariatrics it has exponentially higher success rates. I have done everything and have not had the success I have always sought so I am looking forward to having the tool of a sleeve to increase my own odds of success

So I just got my sample packages of Proteins from bjs bariatrics and I hope I find a flavor that I like. I've heard everyone love double stuffed cookie flavor hope its good. Contains 23g of Protein [ATTACH]15035[/ATTACH]

Can you tell me how much it costs to renew a subscription for the BodyBug? Thanks.

I'm scheduled for March 8, 2011 now and would love to hear experiences with the Scottsdale Bariatric Hospital and Dr. Blackstone. I read somewhere that Dr. Blackstone offers a massage on the 2nd day post-op. Does she still do this?

I saw your post here and I'm new. I don't know if I'm even responding properly. I found this post by searching for info on Dr Garcia on Google. I received a call today from a woman named alma. She was calling from Ready4Achange.com. We talked about bariatric surgeries and she recommended Dr. Garcia above all those other doctors, and she actually works for all of those four. Ready 4 a Change is rated well with the BBB. I don't know if that makes a difference. Anyhow, I was wondering if you got your surgery and if so, who with. Would your recommend doing it and with the doctor you chose? I have been doing a lot of research and am very interested and excited about surgery. I am also apprehensive about doing it in Mexico. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. BTW...I am a mommy to six also:) Thanks and blessings, Donna donnazang@msn.com

Barimelts, bariatric melts they have a full line of vitamins and Celebrate Vitamins have a variety of forms, drink mix, soft chews chewable, quick dissolve capsule all designed for wls

Depends on what you want. You can get most things through Amazon if you know what brands you want. Bariatric Advantage, Unjury, and Syntrax certainly all have their own sites, as well. In the Pre-op and Post-op Diets forum (http://www.verticals...-post-op-diets/) there's a sticky at the top of the forum that discusses where to get protein foods and samples as well.

Yeah your nutritionist may not be use to bariatric patients. You eat very low calories for months...

I agree with what the others are saying. Look at reducing some of the Protein bars and shakes. I am 11 months post op and achieved my weight loss in 7 months. I lost 20 pounds pre-op and 80 pounds post-op for a total of 100 pounds. (I had a RNY which is known for its rapid weight loss.) I now weigh 160. Part way through the process my weight loss went into a standstill. I looked at my caloric intake and decided at the time that I was getting so little protein in my meals, the problem must lie in the protein supplements. So I dropped from 3 protein shakes a day down to two and I began to loss weight again. As the volume of my meals went up, I was able to derive more protein from my meals. Presently, I think I am consuming around 50% of my protein requirement from my meals. This means that I can reduce the amount of protein supplement I am taking. When I hit my bottom weight, it allowed me to experiment. So I completely went off my protein shakes. Today for my protein supplement, I have one large cup of hot cocoa (Nestle "No Sugar Added") in the morning and one homemade large berry smoothie in the afternoon. I have discussed my meal plan in "How I survived Bariatric Surgery" which is available at http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

I'm taking the Bariatric Vitamines that melt in your mouth. I'm also eating small amounts of Jello at a time. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am a firm believer that food addiction is just like most others. With that in mind, having a slice of pizza is like “It’s just one little shot of tequila” for an alcoholic. One leads to two…and so one. I am also a firm believer that this is the main reason people gain back weight or completely fail after Bariatric surgery. It’s a constant struggle. Keeping that perspective, one slice of pizza is not worth it. I’m not perfect and will fail at times but keeping the above perspective helps to ensure I will be successful in the long run. If I tell myself that one slice is fine, I will soon convince myself that so is two.

For anyone who has Caresource in Ohio, here is their policy as it pertains to Bariatric Surgery as of July 2016: A. SUBJECT Obesity Surgery B. BACKGROUND Surgery for morbid obesity, bariatric surgery, and gastric bypass surgery is a major surgical procedure with significant risk of surgical and post-op complications that should be considered medically necessary only as a treatment alternative when a concerted effort a conventional and conservative management has failed for those who meet the policy criteria below. Prior authorization request for Morbid Obesity Surgery and supporting information must be submitted by the surgeon intending to perform the procedure. Further supporting information may be presented by the PCP or other practitioners, but unless the prior authorization request is submitted by the attending surgeon, the request will be administratively denied for lack of information. C. DEFINITIONS N/A D. POLICY I. The surgery should be considered medically necessary if ALL of the following conditions are met: A. The patient is at least 21 years of age. Members less than 19 years old will be considered only under extreme circumstances. B. The BMI (Body Mass Index) and associated conditions suggest surgery is the most prudent treatment: 1. BMI > 50 with or without associated co-morbidities and failed conservative weight loss attempts as per 3B 2. BMI 40-50 with 1 or more significant co-morbidities not well controlled with appropriate treatment that a surgical weight loss treatment is likely to improve 3. BMI 35-40 with 2 or more co-morbid conditions that are not well controlled with appropriate treatment that a surgical weight loss treatment is likely to improve: a. The co-morbid condition is either poorly controlled on appropriate medical therapy and would likely improve with weight reduction OR by virtue of family history and existing clinical conditions, the patient would remain high risk for short term co-morbid complications without the surgery Examples include Poorly controlled hypertension on multi-drug therapy Inadequately controlled diabetes despite high does insulin treatment and other therapeutic regimens Lipid disorder on maximum drug therapy and lifestyle modification without control C. Written clinical documentation and supporting information from the attending surgeon must include: 1. Letter of medical necessity 2. Evidence that there has been at least a 9 month documented physician supervised trial of diet and exercise within the last 24 months (adapted from NIH recommendations) 3. Summary of co-morbid conditions 4. A description of a multi-disciplinary approach to preparing and managing the patient in the pre-operative and peri-operative periods and through an extended post-operative period 5. Evidence the patient has been evaluated from a psychological standpoint within the past 6 months and which supports that the patient does not have an underlying psychiatric condition which would interfere with the success of the surgery and that the patient will withstand the rigors of the surgery and maintain long-term follow-up care. If the member is under psychiatric care, documentation from their current treating psychiatrist is also required 6. Supporting letter of medical necessity from the patient’s PCP, recommending the surgery and documenting that the patient has undergone medical evaluation to rule out other treatable causes of obesity D. Patients with a history of non-compliance with medical care and any psychiatric illnesses that may hinder compliance with the post-operative regimen are not suitable for surgery. -- Your surgeon may also require additional testing and clearances, but this is what Caresource requires. Hopefully this helps someone.

Thanks again for all who have written. I am going to call the bariatric center at a local hospital (it's a center of excellence which is required by my insurance company) and see if I can register for a seminar. I'm not sure that I'm ready to make this decision, but I do know that I have to do something. I want to be able to enjoy the rest of my life. I have a beautiful daughter and I only just turned 28 (last week). I have a great career. although I'm attending college to broaden it. I have so much going for me, but I don't want my weight to drag me down. ~FK :redface:

I guess nobody is answering this thread anymore. Anyway, this is my 3rd bout with this, 2nd time ended up in hospital for 3 days. Couldn't breathe. This week going to a more experienced bariatric surgeon to look.

I had my surgery 14 years ago. About every 3-6 months I would get very bloated after eating and my mid left side would hurt. Hurt to breath. It would cause a referred pain in my left shoulder at the same time. now, 5-19-21, this has been happening everyday throughout the day. (Although I cannot tell if I’m bloated as I had Coolsculpt 8 months ago and have the rare side effect PAH. So I have a big brick of fat in the way.) For about the last 6 months. It’s gotten worse. Hard to breath, very painful . I’m developing new symptoms. I hiccup lightly quite often uncontrollably. If I bend over, I will burp a big swoosh of air that actually feels relieving, not like a belch. My drs have always tried to blame everything on my band but it’s always been fine. I am going to my Bariatrics dr tomorrow hopefully to get this situated. I’m going to ask if she thinks it’s my diaphragm, if I could have my port moved or shortened. I have never planned to get rid of my band. I have lost 75 lbs and am at a good weight

Don't give up! Talk to your Dr. for suggestions or modifications. Maybe there is a new way you can make sure you get your protein quota. I just saw some flavored shots in the Bariatric Choice catalog that looks tempting. Your insurance may cover seeing a physical therapist who could suggest exercises that won't aggravate your RA or your ankle. Keep up informed.

When I start to feel fear or anxiety about which is often accompanied by tears, it tells me that whatever I'm doing or about to do means a lot to me. so if your feeling that way about surgery this is a good thing (in my book) that means this new journey is something you're taking seriously. Hang in there and in times of true Emotional doubt hang onto your Logic, this is a safe procedure with amazing results and unless everyone who has ever received bariatric surgery is lying to us, we have a bright, healthy new life waiting for us just around the corner. All my best

@@Ashlegal speaking for "most" bariatric pals of course we care silly head!! do you have a spare ticket? you are buying!!! enjoy the concert kathy congrats

Yes she is an actual bariatrics nutritionist with 20+ years experience in bariatrics.

I love these faces. Anyway, I agree with the diet stuff. I went thru 2 rounds of Bypass stuff in the USA to Be denied by BLUE CROSS I went to the Nutrition classes and got alot from them I have ordered the liquid diet stuff , Vitamins from Bariatric Advantage and will do the diet PRE OP as directed Post Op, I have the schedule down, food catalogs for the liquid stuff, etc and will for sure stick with it I am commited and I am glad U had a great experience. I thought Carolyn was a great one to deal with Where are U located? What about being UNDER Was the experience good ? Did they put U under and did U wake UP without fear or being unable to talk or communicate but being sound in UR thoughts? I had a bad experience in the USA with coming out of surgery, mask on, could not talk, felt like I was drowning. Lasted seconds but an EXPERIENCE of a lifetime..... S